Sweet alyssum (Lobularia 'Inlbusnopr' SNOW PRINCESS)

Overview

Lobularia ‘Inlbusnopr’ SNOW PRINCESS is a dramatically vigorous hybrid form of traditional sweet alyssum, prized for its exceptional trailing habit and season-long performance. This selection blankets surfaces in a dense carpet of white, sweetly fragrant flowers, often completely obscuring the foliage underneath from spring well into fall. Its key value lies in its relentless blooming nature and high tolerance for summer heat, features often lacking in older varieties.

This versatile plant thrives when given ample moisture and consistent feeding, spreading into attractive mounding pillows of color. While botanically a perennial, Lobularia ‘Inlbusnopr’ SNOW PRINCESS is typically grown as a spectacular annual accent plant outside tropical zones. Gardeners rely on this specific cultivar for continuous groundcover or for cascading displays in elevated containers where true continuous flowering is essential.

The impact of masses of tiny white blossoms, coupled with a refreshing sweet scent, makes this a star bedding plant or mixed container component. Because the Lobularia ‘Inlbusnopr’ SNOW PRINCESS hybrid is sterile, gardeners do not need to worry about self-seeding, allowing for a cleaner landscape presentation throughout the season.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Brassicaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-11
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 1-2 ft
  • Spread: 2-3 ft
• Bloom Time: May to October
• Bloom Description: White
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Set out purchased Lobularia ‘Inlbusnopr’ SNOW PRINCESS plants just before your region’s average last frost date to establish them quickly. They perform best in average, medium-moisture soils that are consistently well-drained. While they tolerate full sun well, areas experiencing intense afternoon heat benefit from some light afternoon shade to maintain moisture balance and prevent stress.

Since this variety consumes significant moisture, regular watering is crucial, especially when grown in hanging baskets, which may require daily attention during hot weather. Supplement watering with regular fertilization to support the continuous, heavy flowering exhibited by this patented variety. Remember that this specific hybrid does not produce seed, simplifying cleanup at the end of the season.

If growing north of Zone 10, treat this plant strictly as an annual. During the season, no extensive pruning is necessary, as its natural habit is to mound and gently cascade. Focus maintenance efforts on consistent moisture and feeding to maximize the coverage provided by this vigorous sweet alyssum.

Landscape Uses

As a vigorous annual, Lobularia ‘Inlbusnopr’ SNOW PRINCESS excels when used en masse to create drifts of bright white across sunny landscape beds. Its spreading habit makes it a fantastic, fast-growing groundcover that suppresses weeds beneath taller structural plants. The cascading nature of this specific sweet alyssum also makes it an ideal spill-over element for the edges of retaining walls or steep slopes.

For container gardening, this plant is unmatched for providing continuous color and fragrance. Use it to trail over the sides of hanging baskets, softening the edges and creating a “waterfall” effect. It integrates beautifully into mixed containers, pairing well with brighter annuals like petunias or calibrachoa, provided those companions are equally vigorous feeders and drinkers.

When selecting companions, look for plants that appreciate similar moisture levels. The dense flower clusters of the SNOW PRINCESS variety ensure that it acts as a strong visual anchor or filler, depending on the planting scheme, delivering white contrast across challenging hot summer months.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy
• Fragrant

Noteworthy Characteristics

Lobulatia is a genus of 5 species of low-growing annuals and perennials from the Canary Islands and Mediterranean. Genus name comes from the Latin word lobulus meaning small pod. ‘Inlbusnopr’, commonly sold in commerce under the trade name of SNOW PRINCESS, is an extremely vigorous hybrid form of sweet alyssum. It was discovered and selected in April of 2006 from a cross-pollination which occurred in a controlled greenhouse environment in La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain involving an unnamed selection of Lobularia canariensis (female parent) with an unnamed selection of Lobularia maritima (pollen parent). ‘Inlbusnopr’ is noted for its outwardly spreading, mounding and cascading habit, continuous flowering over a long period, abundant fragrant single white flowers and tolerance for hot summer temperatures.

Tolerances

No specific listed tolerances were provided beyond general cultural notes.

Potential Problems

Fortunately, this variety of sweet alyssum generally exhibits no serious insect or disease problems under normal growing conditions. Gardeners should remain vigilant primarily against slugs, especially when the plants are still young or newly planted, as they can cause significant damage to tender foliage. Simple preventative measures, such as applying bait or creating physical barriers early in the season, usually mitigate any slug issues effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Sweet alyssum (Lobularia ‘Inlbusnopr’ SNOW PRINCESS) suitable for?

This plant is winter hardy only in USDA Zones 10 and 11, where it can be grown as a perennial. In cooler northern zones, it is reliably grown as a low-maintenance annual.

How large does Lobularia ‘Inlbusnopr’ SNOW PRINCESS grow?

When planted in the ground, this vigorous hybrid typically mounds to 2 to 3 feet across. When utilizing its excellent cascading habit in a hanging basket, it can droop or trail 3 to 4 feet.

When does Sweet alyssum bloom?

This specific cultivar is long-blooming, producing its dense clusters of white flowers continuously from May through October, ensuring season-long color.

What sun exposure does Lobularia ‘Inlbusnopr’ SNOW PRINCESS need?

For the best performance, plant this sweet alyssum in full sun; however, providing it with some light afternoon shade can be beneficial during exceptionally hot summer weather.

Conclusion

The Lobularia ‘Inlbusnopr’ SNOW PRINCESS hybrid brings unparalleled vigor and continuous, fragrant white blooms to garden designs where dependability is paramount. As an extremely low-maintenance sweet alyssum, it offers exceptional value in containers and mass plantings from Zone 10 northward as an annual. Before planting, always confirm your local frost dates and ensure the soil remains consistently moist to unlock the full cascading potential of this outstanding cultivar.

Companion Planting

Because Lobularia ‘Inlbusnopr’ SNOW PRINCESS prefers medium moisture and regular feeding, it pairs excellently with other thirsty, heavy-feeding annuals. Consider combining it with upright geraniums (Pelargoniums) or calibrachoa in containers; the trailing white clusters provide a beautiful, fragrant skirt for these components. In landscape beds, use it to edge borders backed by slightly taller perennials that share a preference for full sun, such as upright salvias or coreopsis, ensuring all adjacent plants can handle supplemental watering throughout the summer.

Design Ideas for Cascading Effect

The unique spreading and slightly weeping habit of Lobularia ‘Inlbusnopr’ SNOW PRINCESS makes it perfect for softening hard lines in the landscape. Use this plant extensively in window boxes, where its ability to cover the entire front surface prevents visible soil lines. For elevated planters or urns, position SNOW PRINCESS exclusively near the edge to maximize the visual interest of its 3 to 4-foot potential droop, drawing the eye down to the pavement or patio below. This plant also works wonderfully as a living mulch beneath roses or mid-sized shrubs, cooling the soil and providing a neat, low-maintenance carpet of white fragrance.